Reframing schizophrenia and autism as self-consciousness disorders associating a deficit of theory of mind and empathy with social communication impairments
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Abstract
Prior observations and studies suggest self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia
and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), two neurodevelopmental disorders sharing social
communication impairments. First, the relationships between schizophrenia and autism
are explored regarding social communication impairments. Then, self-consciousness
disorders in schizophrenia and autism are described and discussed in relation with
impairments of body self leading to impairments of self-other differentiation, a deficit
of theory of mind and empathy, and their consequences on social communication. Also,
neurological dysfunction involved possibly in self-consciousness disorders in schizophrenia
and autism is presented. In conclusion, a new model is proposed integrating results
of studies presented here and stating the existence of bodily self-consciousness disorders
in schizophrenia and autism associated with altered/absent intermodal sensory integration
(especially visual-kinesthetic-tactile integration). This would result in problems
of self-other differentiation, leading in turn to a deficit of theory of mind and
empathy as well as social communication impairments. This model opens new perspectives
to understand better self-consciousness disorders and social communication impairments
in schizophrenia and ASD and to develop therapeutic strategies.